Health Bill update: What could the changes mean for Healthwatch?
People across North Yorkshire continue to tell us about their experiences of health and social care. Those experiences help improve care, highlight where change is needed, and ensure decision-makers understand what matters most to local communities.
The Government's Health Bill includes proposals that would abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, including Healthwatch North Yorkshire. Responsibility for listening to people's experiences and helping shape improvements in care would instead move to NHS organisations and local councils.
These proposals have prompted debate in Parliament and concerns from a range of organisations about how people will continue to share their experiences, raise concerns and influence improvements in health and social care.
At this stage, nothing changes for people in North Yorkshire. Healthwatch North Yorkshire remains independent and will continue to listen to local people's experiences, share what we hear, and use that evidence to help improve care.
What has happened in Parliament?
The Health Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday 1 June 2026. This meant MPs debated the main principles of the Bill before it moved on for more detailed examination.
During the debate, MPs from different political parties raised questions about the proposed abolition of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations. Some MPs argued that the current arrangements should remain in place, while others stressed the importance of ensuring people continue to have an independent way to share their experiences and raise concerns if the changes go ahead.
Questions were also raised about how the proposals could affect people who already face barriers to accessing care or having their voices heard, including people who may find it harder to speak up about their experiences.
Several changes to the Bill were proposed, including some that would remove the sections of the Bill relating to the abolition of Healthwatch and the transfer of local Healthwatch responsibilities.
A group of MPs known as the Public Bill Committee then completed a detailed examination of the Bill, including the parts relating to Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations.
During these discussions, some MPs continued to raise concerns about the impact of abolishing Healthwatch and the importance of maintaining an independent patient and public voice people having an independent way to share their experiences. The Committee ultimately agreed that the Healthwatch clauses proposals relating to Healthwatch should remain in the Bill and proceed to the next stage of the parliamentary process.
August 2026 update: Debate continues over independence and accountability
The proposed changes to Healthwatch continue to attract debate as the Health Bill progresses through Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats have called for the proposed changes to Healthwatch to be removed from the Bill, raising concerns about independence, how people funding, planning and providing care will be held to account, and how people's experiences and concerns will be heard under the proposed arrangements.
The Government says the reforms will give patients a stronger, clearer voice within health and social care and that listening to people's experiences should be a core responsibility of the NHS.
The Local Government Association has also previously raised concerns about the proposed abolition of local Healthwatch, saying that without an independent, locally rooted voice there could be gaps in accountability.
The Health Bill is currently at Report Stage in the House of Commons, when MPs have another opportunity to consider the Bill and propose changes. It is due to receive its third reading on 7 September 2026. This is the final stage in the House of Commons before the Bill can proceed to the House of Lords for further consideration.
The Bill has not yet become law and could still change as it continues through Parliament.
Healthwatch North Yorkshire is politically independent. We do not take a position for or against any political party, but we will continue to follow the Bill and provide factual updates about developments that could affect how people's experiences of health and social care are heard in North Yorkshire.
Why does independence matter?
Healthwatch was created to be a trusted and independent champion for people using health and social care.
Some people come to us after struggling to get answers elsewhere, while others simply want an independent organisation to listen and explain what support may be available.
Many people tell us they are more comfortable sharing their experiences with an organisation that is separate from the NHS and local councils, particularly when discussing sensitive issues or situations where they feel they have not been listened to.
Every year, people across North Yorkshire share their experiences with Healthwatch, helping to identify problems, highlight good practice and influence improvements.
Our independence allows us to:
- Listen to people's experiences without being part of the organisations providing, planning or paying for care.
- Raise issues openly when local people tell us something is not working.
- Publish findings and recommendations based on what people tell us.
- Share evidence with NHS and council decision-makers.
- Help make sure people's experiences are considered when decisions are made.
People also contact Healthwatch when they are unsure where to turn for information, advice or support. We help people understand their options, find the right organisation to contact and make informed decisions about their care.
What are other organisations saying?
Several national organisations have stressed the importance of making sure people continue to have an independent way to share their experiences and influence improvements in care.
National Voices, which represents more than 200 health and care charities, has published a briefing on the Health Bill. It warns that the proposed changes could weaken accountability by transferring Healthwatch functions into NHS and government structures.
The Local Government Association has also called for an independent way for local people to share their experiences and influence decisions about health and social care. In its briefing on the Health Bill, it highlighted the role of local Healthwatch as an independent source of insight and challenge.
The Patients Association has also highlighted the importance of maintaining trusted, independent routes for people to share their experiences and help shape improvements in health and social care in its response to The King's Fund report on the Healthwatch model.
What does this mean for people in North Yorkshire?
At this stage, nothing changes for local people. Healthwatch North Yorkshire remains independent and continues to:
- Listen to people's experiences of health and social care.
- Provide information and help people find advice and support.
- Publish reports, findings and recommendations.
- Share evidence with NHS and council organisations.
- Help local people have their voices heard.
The proposals are still being considered by Parliament and could change before any final decision is made.
We will continue to follow developments and keep local people, volunteers and organisations we work with updated as the Bill progresses.
